Rodney McAree left reeling by Dungannon Swifts’ ‘unacceptable’ Irish Cup exit

Rodney McAree was less than impressed with Dungannon's display

Rodney McAree admits he is deeply frustrated by Dungannon Swifts’ inconsistency.

A week after beating Linfield at Windsor Park, they exited the Irish Cup after an embarrassing home defeat by Ballyclare Comrades.

While McAree could not question the outcome, he did have plenty of complaints with his players — and their fluctuating fortunes.

“We can’t go to Windsor Park and play and compete the way we did, and then turn up today and play and compete the way we did — it’s just unacceptable,” he said.

“The consistency does my head in because we are capable.

“We have competed with the best teams in the country, we’ve done well and taken points off the top two from last season. We’ve also taken many more points off the top six at this stage than we did in the whole of last season.

“So it shows that we have the capability, but if we don’t get the consistency we won’t get the run of results to take us to where we really want to be.”

Cahal McGinty had headed Dungannon into a first-half lead, but they never built on it.

Ballyclare were never daunted and deservedly equalised through Gary Donnelly in the 69th minute.

Thomas Maguire fired the Swifts back in front, only for Alan McMurtry to level again.

Darius Roohi then won it five minutes from the end, sparking celebrations among the travelling support at full-time.

McAree added: “You talk to players after the game and you see them frustrated but when they pull out of the car park and go home, are they still hurting?

“I would hope they are. I would hope that’s a real sickener for them, as it is for us. Fair play to Ballyclare, they came here with a game plan, they set themselves up, did well and deserved their result.

“Bu